I like the fact that even though you're definitely a person with a kind demeanor, when you're talking business, you're not sugar coating anything. This is extremely helpful. Thanks, your advice is clear and on point.

I talked about this exact thing in my podcast last week. Got scammed my first try. Found a lovely copy editor second attempt, but now I plan to self publish I've found the editor of my heart on reedsy. And 100% agree on the sample edits. I narrowed a potential list down to 5 then judged them on the sample edits. Huge difference in approach, style and therefore price.

@AuthorLevelUp

4 жыл бұрын

I’m sorry you got scammed. That really sucks. But I’m glad you found someone good!

@velf1527

4 жыл бұрын

@@AuthorLevelUp I was lucky, paid through PayPal so got a partial refund. I was younger and nieve. Guess sometimes you just have to learn the hard way ^^

Just discovered your site. It's the most useful I've found. I got burned last year by an editor who promised much and delivered very little. Sadder but wiser and all that.

From a freelance copyeditor's perspective, this is a very thoughtful and fair video. There's a trend online where writers looking to self-publish discourage the use of professional editors, or suggest that all editors should work at low prices. I appreciate what you had to say about sample edits. I saw a video with very well-known "influencer"-types who told viewers that writers are entitled to a free sample edit, and the editor is a scammer if they charge anything for a sample edit. Many very respectable editors who I know do charge for sample edits, but also do what you described and deduct the cost from the final bill. Since I've been freelancing for only a year and have less experience, I do offer free sample edits, and I know some other more experienced editors do as well. But just because an editor charges for a sample edit doesn't mean they're a scammer out to rip you off.

Good Info. I can vouch for Reedsy. Found a first class editor who did a superb job and didn't break the bank.

@AuthorLevelUp

4 жыл бұрын

Reedsy is great!

@stevstring

4 жыл бұрын

That’s good info too, bro.

@michaeljordan5630

Жыл бұрын

I love Reedsy. It a great website for authors, writers, and novelist, and pretty much for everyone.

Great advice. An author friend insists he doesn't need an editor. It's so frustrating...

BRILLIANT! I have zero experience with writing. I am writing my one and only book and have no clue where to start, so it was refreshing to hear a video that spoke directly to me. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Thank you so much for your frank and insightful advice! As a new, unpublished author looking to become a self-published author-to-be in the indie market, the information you shared is priceless.

I honestly was looking for a video on what sites may be the best to find an editor. But I was immediately drawn in to the content of your advice. I appreciate how detailed and blunt this was. Great video.

Because I self-edit my own novels multiple times with and without software, I typically only pay for a copy-edit.

@AuthorLevelUp

4 жыл бұрын

Nothing wrong with that.

I'm glad I came across your video! Out of the many I've watched, this has been THE most informative. Admittedly, I was scared to have someone other than as friend or grammerly edit my book, simply because of cost. But now, you've helped me understand what I'm looking for and I will save the money to have it done. Thank you🎉

Thank you this education is priceless.

Hi. I have been going crazy about hiring an editor. I've seen many videos and none have been right. Watched 10 mistakes to avoid today and you are excellent. You answered all my questions, gave me major suggestions and your presentation is reassuring. Months of worry are gone. Thank you so much. I can't wait to comb through your page!

@AuthorLevelUp

2 жыл бұрын

Glad the video helped! :)

This was really good content. I’ve made so many writing mistakes before I found autortube. I’m glad I found videos like this before I got to the professional editing stage. Thanks, dude.

As a brand new author, this was very helpful! Never heard of you before I can across this video. Looked up ur books and I’m definitely gonna check out your work. Thanks again😁

Mr. Micheal, you have "presence" my friend. Love your videos! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

@AuthorLevelUp

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you. :)

Wow thank you! You are the first person to recommend copy edit over developmental editing, Thank you!!

hired a girl on Upwork to transcribe (print to text) and gave her a flat rate, then $200 more for the next book and $200 more on top of that and so on. I consider this employee appreciation

Thanks this was very useful. Got two novels ready to edit and i will use this information to pick an editor..great work you come through every time just when i need the info..

Thank you so much for this video. Very helpful! Regarding an editor asking for a percentage of the royalties: what about the reverse? I'm poor and really can't afford ANY editing. For the right editor, I would happily assign them a significant percentage of royalties.

Definitely helpful information I had not heard elsewhere. Your final point meshes with an earlier one regarding contracts. I'd like a contract which would call for full or at least partial refund should the editor not complete the project at all, or not on schedule.

There’s so much I never even thought about in this video, thanks for sharing your experiences!

Very helpful. Thank you. Direct and to the point 💯.

I really like your way of communicating information. To the point and valuable. I’m getting ready to publish my first book.

Great video. Simple, direct and not too much personality. I'll be back.

A note on UPwork...any business relationship begun on UPwork MUST pay the UPwork fees for 24 months from the start of the relationship. You can pay an exit fee to get around this.

New sub here! I derived value from this!

I got a sample edit on my book before too.

Thank you! Extremely helpful! I am just wondering why you are against developmental editing? I have always heard from others that I should look into it if self-publishing.

Very informative 👏 thanks a lot 🙏. Rarely can you find this much information about editors.

I really like this video. I felt it helped me understand a lot.

So informative. Subscribing

Great video. Easy to understand and extremely helpful in my search for an editor

I believe each of you have Stephen King talent!!!! After you said that I subscribed immediately.. It actually made me tear up lol I just felt like I found this video for a reason and Stephen King is one of my favorite authors and I feel like even without you knowing who you're helping, you're definitely trying to help someone so, thank you!! I subscribed

Wait hang on. I've not seen your videos before so I'm genuinely asking here. Why would you not recommend a developmental editor? Which video should I watch for elaboration?

Thank you for all this info-it confirmed a lot for me

Good video brother. Thanks for the insight.

Those are what I was looking for. Thanks!

Yes, very helpful...meeting an editor who is in my writers group re my first 80,000 self publish draft...problem tho...I have a crush on her brewing. What about trading editing for cabin repairs. Foolish question Im sure. Rescue me..

SUBSCRIBED IMMEDIATELY 😊

Great information I appreciate it! I'm on my first book which isn't too long in length but i want to make sure it flows good, i will use these tips moving forward. 👍

My advice: learn how to edit. The craft of writing is a continuous learning experience. The writer's job is to write well. Any short-cut you take to get your book out will detract from the final product. There is no substitute for a proper edit, you should care enough to edit your own manuscript as best you can, before even considering hiring an editor. You can provide a good edit if you apply yourself. Is it even possible to hire someone who cares about the quality of your work more than you do?

Thank you very much for this insightful and informative video! I appreciate all of your expertise and incredible details!

Thank you for this information ☺️👍

@KetogenicKim

4 жыл бұрын

And thank you for including cozies. They are very unique. I and the mistake if reading a thrilled mystery writing vlog ( love reading that genre), but the comment section.. I'll leave it at I would never subject my writing to them. I'm brand spanking new, do need positive information like yours. I don't need superior attitudes. So, thank you, again. 😊

I appreciate the gold, friend.

This was great! Thank you!

Thanks , that happened to me before with them raising rates but it was with the illustrator on a series in a pen name. It wasn't too high. It was the principal though. Don't start on the book then tell me after you start the prices are going up. It was right before Xmas. So maybe she was trying to buy Xmas gifts. Her quality of work really dropped on this third book. She was rushing and the characters didn't even look the same age or the same as they did in the other books. We would normally work on one or two images at a time and be in agreement. Oh she used to show me the sketch first before she even got too far so it wouldn't be completely finished and she have to start over.I would give her instructions. We normally had good communication. This time She created the whole book and like one night. It was a children's book, so it was lots of pictures. She didn't like them and didn't want to redo them. When she went up on the prices and did worst quality of work and make sure to change my password because she had been uploading them to create space for me. she was mad about both and blocked me. I originally met her on Fiverr. It broke my heart when she blocked me and didn't finish the project. I ended up not publishing that book for over a year. The new lady I found seemed nice . She did a decent job. However as time went on she started being late on projects a lot and eventually quite communicating on the freelance site. This was also discouraging. It felt like it kept getting worse from there with each new person. So I feel like I should have more than one option since I'm normally working on different genres and sometimes two projects at a time. I don't like depending on one person. The last one I worked with on a couple books,I lived in Africa. He was always having bad phone reception issues or Internet cutting out and the stuff would be weeks to months late on Fiverr. Not to mention those that were in my budget didn't always understand English well.

Your videos are gems!

Very helpful, as always. Thanks!

Great video, Michael

Thank you very much for your most informative video, I found it very useful and I am subscribed now. I just came across your channel now, so, I am not sure if you've already covered this, but, one thing I concerned about is, is it safe to give your novel to an editor before copyrighting it? I am very nervous about this and I'm sure I don't need to be, but this being my first story, I want to get this perfectly right the first time. Thank you once again!

@AuthorLevelUp

8 ай бұрын

Yes, it is safe. Your work is copyrighted at the moment you have fixed the words to the page, so you have copyright protection, even if it is not officially registered with the United States copyright office. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon you to hire the right editor. Make sure you hire someone who is reputable, ethical, and has a track record of working successfully with authors, and you should have nothing to worry about.

@WldOfDK

8 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it! Thanks for putting my mind at ease! Have a wonderful weekend!@@AuthorLevelUp

Your well spoken thank you for the info

One point I'd like to add to your list of warning signs, if the editor is way too complentative and doesnt really highlight anything you need help on or your weakness be really wary. No one's work is perfect

@AuthorLevelUp

4 жыл бұрын

Very good point.

Very clear and helpful advice, thank you 😊

Thank you, a thorough and excellent effort.

Very helpful video, thanks!!

Yes, VERY helpful, thank you.

Very helpful. Thank you!

Thank you for this.

Thanks for your channel.

Frist of all it's not my business it's my passion now why I do in Editing in writing mistakes in after that, actually I write everything on spot then must to need modification

Thank you so much, this is great advice!

Great thoughts! Appreciate it.

god bless you , i needed this

This is the best video yet on the subject. Thank you! My problem is that I write plays and script books. Everyone I have contacted sends me back a Screen Write format proving they have no idea how to format a skit book and just googled it. Google only pulls up Hollywood style formats. Any suggestions? I've tried many search engines without success. You are very well spoken, great work!

I released my latest book. The reviews are good but almost everyone says the book needs a better edit. Punctuation, comma's and spelling are some of the problems. Should I use a program or a physical person?? Story is strong, grammar is weak...

What would be a sub-genre of "memoir"?

Thank you very much😊

Would you say that "line editing" and "copy editing" is redundant? Sounds like only copy editing is unnecessary. Would you agree?

@AuthorLevelUp

3 жыл бұрын

The terms have always been interchangeable to me. I’m sure there is a difference that someone somewhere would take issue with, but if you say one, the other is implied.

@ubr-mtv8702

3 жыл бұрын

@@AuthorLevelUp Thanks. Because of this video I cancelled my line editing + cop editing with a self-publishing company to copy editing + proof reading.

Excellent: My challenge is I have twins books dealing with the same subject matter. One is non-fiction, the other is fiction.

I am seventy years old and I have written my first book It is my autobiography. I am so out of my comfort zone. Please, do I copyright my book first or edit it first?

So valuable!

Great video!

This was beneficial!

I do have a question! I hope to be traditionally published. I have written three chapter books intended as a series. I am currently working with an editor on the first one. Should I have all three professionally edited before querying and hold books two and three for an agent or publishing house editor to do? Thank you.

Should Authors on the Traditional Path Pay an Editor? Or do authors need to hire editors when they are going to publish traditionally or the publishers hire editors to edit authors book?

Great content, thanks

very helpful thanks man! ...also when do i give my copyright to an editor?

@AuthorLevelUp

2 жыл бұрын

Never. If an editor asks for that it’s a scam.

You say don't give an editor credit on the cover, but should you give them acknowledgement in "acknowledgement section," or is that giving them more credit than they should have? Looking to self-publish since it seems like the traditional route has been quite a struggle. Thanks for your informative video!

@AuthorLevelUp

10 ай бұрын

Most people give the editor credit on the copyright pages/or the acknowledgments. That’s industry standard across self published authors.

Do you have an idea of how long it takes to edit a book of 400 pages? I mean in terms of months, do you have an idea?

@AuthorLevelUp

2 жыл бұрын

Assuming you’re talking about self-editing. Depends entirely on your knowledge and skill. I can do it in a few days, but that’s because I spend my time getting the book right the first time. When I started though, sure I probably took 3-4 months self editing a book. The way to reduce your time over time is to find a good editor, understand where your errors are coming from, and then commit to reducing your errors in the next book.

@P.EnglishLiterature

2 жыл бұрын

@@AuthorLevelUp I wasn't referring to self-editing. I was asking to know how long it would take an editor to edit my 400 pages book before publication.

@AuthorLevelUp

2 жыл бұрын

Depends on the editor. Most take a few days to a few weeks, definitely not months.

@P.EnglishLiterature

2 жыл бұрын

@@AuthorLevelUp Okay. Thank you. I'm of the opinion that a-97,000 words novel could be edited between 6 to 8 weeks.

So, so helpful. Are there unscrupulous writers who would steal what you have written and make it there own. How do you protect yourself? Also some parts of my book could make me liable because of the nature of the stories. So it is not a memoir, I want it to be a fiction memoir with the "This does not include anything that relates to blah blah etc.I do change the names and my name. I write under a pseudonym.

Developmental ,Copyediting is flow consistency, proofreading....

What should i expect with book covers? I have a book cover designed in mind. Do I provide my book cover ideas to the publisher or do i get the book size then provide to a book cover designer? Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

@AuthorLevelUp

3 жыл бұрын

If you're publishing with a traditional publisher, they would take care of the book cover, often with little to no input from the author. If you're self-publishing, it's best to provide the ideas to the cover designer along with your intended book trim size so that they can handle everything for you all at once.

Hi thank you for this video.

@AuthorLevelUp

4 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

Newby question: if there's no contract, what prevents an editor to take over your manuscript and publish it at his/her own book? I'm working on my first book and paranoia is settling in, help! :D

Hi Michael! I got a question as a newbie author: Should I have a copyright of my book prior to sending a manuscript to an editor? I’ve been researching and getting mixed responses. Maybe it’s a paranoia, but I just want to make sure. I’m going to be using Reedsy to hire an editor.

Any thoughts on when to pay, such as paying in chunks based on milestones?

@AuthorLevelUp

4 жыл бұрын

Anything goes within reason. Some editors prefer payment upfront, others at the end, or others 50% first and 50% at the end. Those are the main three arrangements that would be acceptable in my opinion. Any more than that and it becomes too convoluted.

Dear Michael, I just watched your video and subscribed. I am writing my first book which is a Memoir. Sub Genre is self help, and Christian. Can you recommend editors that I can use? I know the red flags, but I would like your professional recommendation. Thank you kindly! Warm regards, Mark

Love your video and your speaking style - thanks for your effort! It sounds like you are saying a copy editor should cost in the hundreds. I saw on the Reedsy cost calculator you mention, based on the 2022 "marketplace data" they collected, it costs between $2,400 and $3,400 to hire an editor for a 60,000-word book. That took me aback. You think this figure is a bit inflated?

@AuthorLevelUp

Жыл бұрын

That’s pretty expensive for a copyeditor.

Why you see that's issue?

Stylistic editing which seems to be comparable to Copy editing, you said to expect to spend a couple of hundreds (its a script not a novel, shorter form) but if you’re quoted over a grand, and over two hundred to do a test of edit of 17 pages, is it a red flag?

@AuthorLevelUp

Жыл бұрын

That's exceptionally high on both fronts.

THis information was very helpful. This my first book and i am coming close to the end. Do need an editor if you use an editor software like Grammarly?

@AuthorLevelUp

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, you definitely need an editor.

what measures should one take to prevent an editor from stealing the manuscript and claiming to be there

I need so much help and I’m just stuck I’m at the end of the book I need an editor like I said I’m not a writer so I need somebody really to help me so I can get this book published?

Excellent video, I was wondering the most about editors stealing work and making it their own. Has this ever happened? would a contract solve it? any other strategies? Thanks

@AuthorLevelUp

2 жыл бұрын

Sure it can happen, but the editor would have to be extremely stupid to try it because you have a paper trail. Hire a reputable editor and you won’t have to worry about it.

@MrBrowser1881

2 жыл бұрын

@@AuthorLevelUp thanks for the advice, do have a list? LOL

What is the Genre and sub genre I am you at writing a book I’ve never done this before I’m not even a writer I just was told to write my autobiography of my life because I went through a lot and I got a good ending

Is there any CC for your videos for deaf "listeners"?

@AuthorLevelUp

Жыл бұрын

It’s something I’m working on. I should be able to do this soon.

Question: What about asking a High School or College-level English teacher? Fair-game or taboo?

@AuthorLevelUp

4 жыл бұрын

My opinion only: unless that person is also a professional editor (which is unlikely), I’d find someone else. God bless high school and college teachers but their skill sets are completely different than what a pro writer needs.

Hey Michael, as to #1 here, I've been writing my whole career but only as a book editor since last year (I was the editor of a lifestyle magazine and a business journal since 2007, but for purposes of book publishing, that's a more recent development). I am also a 4-time author (soon to be 5). I've got a substantial 4-year-old blog and am working on several editing projects right now. But if authors adhere to #1 as a rule of thumb, they'd be missing out on somebody skilled, reasonable and really easy to work with. How would I combat that, especially if I'm reaching out to authors to help them with editing? How best to pitch them to put their minds at ease that they're going to get a quality product?

@AuthorLevelUp

3 жыл бұрын

That's a really interesting question. I have never been in an editor's shoes, but I think most people don't follow the advice of finding an editor in their genre, so you probably won't have that issue. A lot of editors I know start out editing everything and then specialize when they find out what they like.

Good Morning, I am a bit overwhelmed with the process. I purchased Grammarly premium and it made some great suggestions; however, i am reviewing my work. i am finding myself changing or switching the paragraphs. Should I just let the publishing company assist me to ensure my plotting is on point? please help

@AuthorLevelUp

3 жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t rely on anyone to help you with plotting. This video isn’t 100% geared at your situation but you may find it helpful: kzread.info/dash/bejne/qKuctsiqe6uzhag.html